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Marlins catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia does not agree with benching, vows not to be distraction

Slumping Marlins catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia says he’s “mad” about not being in the lineup tonight for the third straight game, but will not become a distraction.

NEW YORK _ Catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchiasaid said he does not agree with manager Mike Redmond’s decision to bench him.

Saltalamacchia, though, is not sulking, vows not to become a distraction and said he has no hard feelings.

“Am I mad? Yeah I’m mad, I want to play,” said Saltalamacchia, who is not in the lineup for the third consecutive game tonight. “I’m not going to hurt this team. I’m not going to be the reason that causes a distraction.

“No hard feelings whatsoever. I want to win. My job is to help the team win so whatever I can do to help is what I’m going to do.”

Redmond said today that is what he expected.

“I didn’t expect him to be happy about it,” Redmond said. “It’s tough but it’s how you respond to it. Do you come out and make the adjustments, that’s kind of what we’re looking for.

“We need Salty. He’s a big part of this team. Sometimes just a couple days to regroup motivates guys. Hopefully it will do that with him.”

Saltalamacchia, the former Royal Palm Beach High standout, is hitting .091 (2-for-22) in seven games (six starts) with 11 strike outs. He has made two throwing errors and allowed 6 of 8 runners to steal. He is coming off a 2014 season in which he hit .220 and made a career-high 16 errors. It was his first season in Miami after signing a three-year, $21 million contract.

“It’s six games in. Six games in is a really tough sample to go off of,” Salty said. “I’ve never been in this situation before so it’s a little different. Just come to the ballpark every day ready to play, do what I can to make the team better, be ready whenever I’m called upon.”

Redmond said Thursday he informed Saltalamacchia he would not be starting and called the conversation “touchy.” Saltalamacchia said there was “no discussion.”

J.T. Realmuto, 24, started his third straight game. He was called up from Class AAA New Orleans on Monday after backup Jeff Mathis broke his hand. He is hitting .286 (2-for-7).

Saltalamacchia said he is there for Realmuto.

“J.T. is still new at this,” Salty said. “Talk to him a little bit. He hasn’t caught Phelps too much so I can help him get through that. can still help the team.”

David Phelps will make his first start as a member of the Marlins tonight.

Capps back on track

Reliever Carter Capps, whose delivery has caused a commotion since he was called for balks on consecutive pitches while at Class AAA New Orleans, is back with the Zephyrs and pitched a scoreless inning Thursday.

Marlins GM Dan Jennings told the Post on Wednesday the organization was in contact with major league baseball and an adjustment was made to Capps’ delivery.

Slumping Ozuna not in lineup

Saltalamacchia is not the only Marlins player slumping at the plate. Center fielder Marcell Ozuna is not in the lineup tonight after getting off to a .194 start (6-for-31). Ozuna has one hit (12 at bats) on this trip.

“He’s been scuffling a little bit so get him a mental day,” Redmond said. “We’re trying to get these guys going who have started slowly. Sometimes just a day off to clear your mind will get you going.

Ichiro has played in every game. This is his fourth start and he has pinch hit seven times. He had pinch triple in Thursday’s loss, his first extra base hit as a member of the Marlins and the first extra base hit of his career in 53 pinch hit plate appearances.

Trackbacks

[…] has been benched for three straight games in favor of rookie catcher J.T. Realmuto — and he’s not happy about it. While Saltalamacchia later vowed not to let his emotional response become a distraction for the […]

[…] has been benched for three straight games in favor of rookie catcher J.T. Realmuto – and he’s not happy about it. While Saltalamacchia later vowed not to let his emotional response become a distraction for the […]

[…] has been benched for three straight games in favor of rookie catcher J.T. Realmuto — and he’s not happy about it. While Saltalamacchia later vowed not to let his emotional response become a distraction for the […]

[…] has been benched for three straight games in favor of rookie catcher J.T. Realmuto — and he’s not happy about it. While Saltalamacchia later vowed not to let his emotional response become a distraction for the […]

[…] has been benched for three straight games in favor of rookie catcher J.T. Realmuto — and he’s not happy about it. While Saltalamacchia later vowed not to let his emotional response become a distraction for the […]

[…] has been benched for three straight games in favor of rookie catcher J.T. Realmuto — and he’s not happy about it. While Saltalamacchia later vowed not to let his emotional response become a distraction for the […]

[…] has been benched for three straight games in favor of rookie catcher J.T. Realmuto – and he’s not happy about it. While Saltalamacchia later vowed not to let his emotional response become a distraction for the […]

[…] has been benched for three straight games in favor of rookie catcher J.T. Realmuto — and he's not happy about it. While Saltalamacchia later vowed not to let his emotional response become a distraction for the […]

[…] benched Saltalamacchia in April and replaced him with a minor league prospect, which Saltalamaccia told Tom D’Angelo of the Palm Beach Post he wasn’t happy about. Days later, the Marlins designated him for […]

[…] benched Saltalamacchia in April and replaced him with a minor league prospect, which Saltalamacchia told Tom D’Angelo of the Palm Beach Post he wasn’t happy about. Days later, the Marlins designated him for […]

[…] benched Saltalamacchia in April and replaced him with a minor league prospect, which Saltalamacchia told Tom D’Angelo of the Palm Beach Post he wasn’t happy about. Days later, the Marlins designated him for […]